HELP!

[KaterrinaMcWade]

I am a new chicken mom. One of my hens, 6 months old, has been acting very strange. She stays in her coop all day and she has her feathers puffed out all the time with her head towards the ground and her butt in the air. Her vent is constantly pulsing. I thought she might be egg bound, but I did not see or feel anything. I brought her inside and gave her a warm Epsom salt soak and then put her in a tote inside. She pooped and it was a medium brown color. was slightly runny and almost looked like there was a thin film that the poop busted out of. I have her isolated and I saw her start eating, but I have not seen her drink water. I gave her some water from a syringe, but that was a challenge in itself. I need help. I do not want to lose her and I do not know what else to do.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Has she laid eggs in the past and if so when did she start laying?

Can you post a picture of the hen and her poop?

What do you feed, including treats, and is there oyster shell always available?

 

[KaterrinaMcWade]

She has laid eggs in the past. The poop is dried now so I am not sure how much good that will do as far as a picture goes. She has been laying for almost a month now.

 

[KaterrinaMcWade]

Here are some pictures for reference

 

[1adybug]

Any developments?

 

[LaFleche]

Here are some pictures for reference

Looks like a broody stance to me. How is she doing?

 

[KaterrinaMcWade]

Any developments?

We isolated her and gave her lots some electrolytes and vitamins and she eventually started to feel better and she seems to be back to her normal self now! I read somewhere that cochins normally do not start laying until 8-9 months. She is only 6 months so maybe it was just pre-mature and her body wasn't ready yet? She hasn't laid in a week now but seems more than fine.

 

[KaterrinaMcWade]

Looks like a broody stance to me. How is she doing?

She is doing much much better!